LOS ANGELES - Australian Chris Guccione has earned a wild card into the LA Tennis Open Presented by Farmers Insurance Group after winning the ninth annual Wild Card Shoot-Out on Friday at UCLA.

Guccione defeated American Donald Young 11-9 in the final tie-break to determine the wild card.

“It’s a lot better than playing three qualie matches,” Guccione said. “I just found out about this a couple days ago. I feel like I’m playing well. I just won the Aptos Challenger, so obviously I’m hitting the ball pretty well. This is great.”

Guccione suffered one loss in the Group Stage of the Shoot-Out, while Young was undefeated, meaning had to beat Young twice in a row to advance. He did, winning the final two tie-breaks 10-8 and 11-9.

This will be the second main draw appearance for Guccione in LA. In 2007, he lost in the first round in a third-set tie-break to Marat Safin.

Eight players took part in a double-elimination tie-break tournament. Those who have no advanced to the main draw may sign in for the qualifying tournament that begins at 10 am on Saturday.

PETE SAMPRAS FLIGHT

FIRST ROUND

Guccione def. Johnson, 10-4
Amritraj def. Dent, 10-6

SECOND ROUND

Dent def. Johnson, 10-8
Guccione def. Amritraj, 10-8

THIRD ROUND

Amritraj def. Dent, 10-8
Amritraj def. Guccione, 10-6

PLAYOFF

Guccione def. Amritraj, 10-6

ROGER FEDERER FLIGHT

FIRST ROUND

Devvarman def. Britton, 10-7
Young def. Sundling, 10-5

SECOND ROUND

Sundling def. Britton, 10-8
Young def. Devvarman, 10-5

THIRD ROUND

Devvarman def. Sundling, 10-3
Young def. Devvarman, 10-5

FINALS

Guccione def. Young, 10-8
Guccione def. Young, 11-9

krystlel

07-25-2009, 12:33 AM

So they basically just played a bunch of tie-breaks to win a wildcard place? :spit:

wifey99999999

07-25-2009, 08:44 AM

horrible field... only better than Indy.

mr_burns

07-25-2009, 12:37 PM

my thoughts exactly, how weak can a field get. Only 3 top 30...

nevertheless, Haas really can win that, he is in form, he is a former champ and the other guys are more than beatable..